The Latest Info on the "2045 Initiative" - Human-Machine Immortality by Mid-Century

Dmitry Itskov is a Russian entrepreneur and founder of the 2045 Initiative with a goal to reinvent humanity to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Last July I reported on this as an initiative of billionaires. At the time membership was around 10,000. Today it has more than doubled and with a conference planned for New York City in July it appears that there are some serious minds getting behind the idea.

If you are unfamiliar with the goals of this group, the main objective is to develop neural interfaces and robotics to a point when humans can extend their lives through a non-biological carrier. In other words, we can become immortal by transferring ourselves into machines. The rationale as stated in the manifesto is as follows:

"Modern civilization, with its space stations, nuclear submarines, iPhones and Segways cannot save mankind from the limitations in the physical abilities of our bodies, nor from diseases and death."

As a result those who ascribe to the initiative seek a limitless solution for humanity.....immortality through the integration of humans and machines. The manifesto further reads:

"We believe that before 2045 an artificial body will be created that will not only surpass the existing body in terms of functionality, but will achieve perfection of form and be no less attractive than the human body. People will make independent decisions about the extension of their lives and the possibilities for personal development in a new body after the resources of the biological body have been exhausted.

"The new human being will receive a huge range of abilities and will be capable of withstanding extreme external conditions easily: high temperatures, pressure, radiation, lack of oxygen, etc. Using a neural-interface humans will be able to operate several bodies of various forms and sizes remotely."

Here are current timeline projections.

By 2020 the emergence of avatars controlled by a direct brain-computer interface.

By 2025 the development of life-support technology capable of keeping an out-of-body human brain working and functioning linked to an avatar robotic system.

By 2035 the complete modeling of human consciousness with the ability to transfer this to an artificial carrier.

By 2045 the evolution of humanity to a new species, immortal, and capable of leaving the planet for large-scale expansion to other worlds.

To learn more you can attend the upcoming Global Future 2045 International Congress taking place in New York City, June 15-16, 2013 at the Lincoln Center. The speaker list includes geneticists, robotics and AI developers, engineers and bio-engineers, physicians, neuroscientists, futurists, and religious and spiritual leaders. If you book the conference before March 31 a general admission ticket will cost you $500. Students can register for $350.

I've included a visual roadmap from the 2045 Initiative below.

So what do you think? Is this for real or are the 20,000 plus members all suffering from a delusion? Or do you want to join the group and help achieve the immortality by the means they seek?

Comments

Why would you want to be immortal? Not only that, but also exist inside some robot? I understand the fascination for creating super humans, long living perfect and ageless, but the reality could be devastating. What about the young humans, what would their position be in this new life cycle? If the planet is getting crowded now, what kind of future would it be if we were able to transcend our old bodies and live forever in these amazing humanoid shells?
I also get that we would be capable of so much more and not be bound by the limitations of our birth form, but thinking about the reality of that kind of existence sends shivers.

Why would you want to be immotal? The concept basically is that you will be given the choice to live forever, or die. Much like we have the choice to live to an old age, or end it early through your own means. With the technology you could esentially "DELETE" yourself much like you would to a small file on a computer.
Existing inside of some robot is also slightly incorrect. The goal of the 2045 initiative is not to have "I Robot" people running around the earth. The concept is that people will live fully concious within a digitalized virtual world. The "robots" are simply an avatar used to commute across our world, and for travel through space.
For example, your in your own virtual world, decide to download yourself into an Avatar to go for a stroll. (obviously speculating)
For over crowding, This would no longer be an issue with life simply existing in a computer. Not to mention the capabilities to travel to other worlds and live in the harshest terrains.
As Humans begin to change in this way it could very much be the end of naturally born humans. For example, decide you want a child (year 2078) lets just combine the best parts of our DNA to create an optimal, more attractive, more intelligent, child within this virtual world.

What if immortal bodies are really cool? What if tech becomes so advanced that we can no longer tell the difference between natural and artificial any more? I'm betting we get there at least by the 2030s.

The problem with this kind of world is who's going to be driving this, who's going to be in control? A bunch of millionaires and scientists? What about the rest of humanity, don't we get a say? They are going ahead with this work without first checking what the rest of humanity wants? This is unacceptable. We must not sit by while a small group of "experts" tamper with the future. How dare they not seek consensus! We must speak up about this, use our voices while we're still able to. I'm not against technology but must we do it just because we can? It's time for the human family to get together and intercept this kind of taking liberties with everyone's right for equality. Surely we have a say in the future of humankind? Surely those who are not asking and who go ahead unfettered reveal their contempt for equality of each human being. We should be wary of anyone who uses their influence at the expense of others.

Do I need your concensus to study? Or work out? Or to make a cure for cancer? You have no right to tell anyone not to better myself for my own sake, you have no right to tell me not to try and make the world a better place. This is a project of creation, not destruction. Equality does not exist right now as it is, you are sitting there while newborn children die of starvation. this is a project that can give people with spinal injuries the ability to walk again. You don't like it don't purchase one when it is made. Don't stop others from helping people and themselves because you don't want it.

No more sensory interface with the world? It will be like playing a video game forever. The eventual goal is to return to being a biological being, not robotic. Less abilities but more meaningful and enjoyable interactions.

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About 21st Century Tech

Len Rosen is futurist, writer, and researcher based in Toronto, Canada. Read more of his work at 21stcentech.com. Follow him at @lenrosen4.

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